Integrating Technology in Presentations

Rules of thumb when constructing a slide or transparency:

1) Follow the 6 x 6 rule: Limit text to 6 or 7 words on each of 6 or 7 lines.

2) Legibility takes precedence over everything else in a presentation.

3) Your visuals are speaker support pieces only.

4) Stay inside the center 2/3 of your image area to avoid objects being cut off when displayed.

5) Use lots of contrast between foreground and background.

6) Color can be used to explain or emphasize a single point.

7) Highlight the information you want to feature and lowlight the secondary details.

8) ALL CAPITAL LETTERS ARE LESS ATTRACTIVE AND HARD TO READ.

9) Ideally titles should be 36-48 point and text 24-36 point.

10) Simplify graphs and charts so they are easily readable.